Response to the Work and Pensions Secretary's plans to reach an 80% employment rate

Responding to the Work and Pensions Secretary's plans to reach an 80% employment rate on 23 July 2024, Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:

Date:

23 07 2024

Authors:

Stephen Evans

Tagged by:

Economic inactivity Employment support Employment & social security

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I’m pleased the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to an 80% employment rate ambition. We’ve shown this would be best in class internationally, unlocking a £23bn economic growth prize, boosting the public finances, and widening opportunities. Getting there will mean an extra 2.4 million people in work, and there are 3 million people who are out of work but would like a job. We need a ten year plan focused on widening employment support, joining up work, health and skills, and helping employers with their recruitment and job design. The Government’s right to draw its plan together into a White Paper, and we look forward to working with them to develop this.

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